Electric-light fixture



Feb. 2 1926.

F. J. WILSON ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURE Filed Nov. 18. 1921 11172011201 li'anlal WIT/$012 'dllarl y Patented Feb. 2, 1926. H

UNITED STATES N v i,57 ,2 z 1'"* PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK (1'. WILSON, OF ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-LIGHT nix'rrmn.

Application filed November 18, 1921. Serial No. $6,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arlington, county of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew anduseful Improvements in Electric-Light Fixtures, of which the following is a'specification.

This invention relates to the mounting fixtures for lighting purposes and particu: larly to certain improvements in the manner off attaching the same.

Ordinarily such fixtures as have heretofore been devised for thispurposeare adapted to be threaded to the wire conduit outlet. This" necessitates rotation which is not possible in noncircular or eccentric fixtures. Such fixtures have had to be attached by screws or other inconvenient or insecure means.

The object of my invention is to overcome thisdifliculty and to efiect certain improvements in structure. In accordance with my invention I provide a wall or ceiling fixture, capable of convenient and firm adjustment, and one adapted to be mounted or detached with dispatch and convenience and without damage to plaster, paper or other finish regardless of the shape of the fixture.

As illustrative of my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings a characteristic construction and assembly which well illustrates the principles of my invention and which in itself is of the usual type. Throughout the specification and drawings like reference characters are employed to indicate corresponding parts and in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through wall plate and lock strap of fixture in accordance with my invention, in a locked or mounted position.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the fixture showing switch removed, and

Figs. 3 and 4 show a side and back elevation, respectively, of a form of lock strap adapted to receive plural projecting fixture arms, and is a modification of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the form shown, the wall plate 1 is of the oval type, commonly employed on wall fixtures for side lights. Such fixtures may have single or plural arms as indicated at 2 for supporting the lamp socket.

At 4 I have indicated an arched lock strap adapted to lie within the wall plate 1 and having itsends turned so as to lie in the.

sameplane so as to be exposed in the rear planeof the wall plate. The'lock strap 4 is provided'at its endsw-ith slotted openings 5 and 6 adapted in the form shown, to engage the heads of a pair of spaced screws which may be set in the wall in the vertical axis of the wall platel so as to be covered thereby'whenthe fixture is mounted. The upper slot 5 is of the keyhole type consisting of the circular entry portion 5 and 'the, narrow lodging section 5. The lowier lslot consists of diverging walls 6' and an extended slot 6. The slots' terminate in shoulders 5 and 6 respectively, against which the neck of the screws bear to give a firm and rigid support.

The lock strap 4 may be supplied separately for use with standard fixtures or may be part" of such, fixtures asoriginally mar keted, The strap maybe conveniently .pm- I vl'ded with wrap ed o ening" suclfas 4 a) receive the threaded nipple 2' of the fixture arm 2. If desired the opening 4: may be untapped and the fixture arm secured by other means as by a lock nut 2 which is shown in connection with a tapped opening 4', or which may be used alone if so desired.

As some fixtures are intended to be used with a switch or button in the fixture itself,

I provide the strap 4 with a tapped hole 4 as means for receiving such a switch. I have indicated a conventional form at 3 with button 3 exposed to the wall plate 2.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I have illustrated a cruciform type in which the vertical portion 4 is provided with lateral arms 44. These maybe bent back to conform to the curvature of the wall plate used. In this type the usual central opening 4 is supplemented by lateral openings 4: for the reception of plural arms.

In installation the screws S are positioned in the wall so as to be readily engageable by the slots 5 and 6 and so as to receive the shoulders 5 and 6 of the slot ends. The fixture is then assembled by placing the lock strap 4 withiii the wall plate 2 and then introducing the threaded nipple 2 of the arm which is screwed into the tapped opening 4 and reenforced if desired by the lock nut 2 if the same is used as a reenforcement. If the opening 4 is untapped the lock nut 2 is set up to clamp the parts together.

The switch member 3 if employed, is introduced usually before assembly. The assembled fixture i then brought up against the walls with the opening 5 and 6 over the heads of the screws S and the fixture then drawn firmly down to bring the shoulders 5 and 6 against the neck of the screws S.

The fixture is thus mounted without the necessity of rotation and without leaving any screws exposed and without marring the surface of the wall. It may be detached for repair or cleaning, or for change of installation, and all conveniently and rapidly. The lock strap is simple and strong and capable of economical production and is well adapted for combination with standard fixtures.

Various modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts all without departing from the spirit of my invention if within the limits of the appended claims.

l/Vhat I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric light fixture comprising in combination with a domed wall plate having a bracket mounting opening, an attaching member arched to fit within and be concealed by said plate and having an opening alinable with said bracket mounting opening of the plate, said attaching member having an anchoring portion disposed to lie flatly against the wall, an anchoring element fixed to the wall, and detachably engageable with said anchoring portion upon endwise movement of said attaching member along the wall, and a bracket having a mounting portion insertible through the registering openings of the wall plate and attaching member and itself constituting the sole connection between said parts, and said wall plate and arched attaching member being provided with a second set of registering openings through which the push button of a switch lodged between said plate and the wall is exposed for manual operation.

2. An electric light fixture, comprising a thin canopy having a bracket mounting opening, a reinforcing lock strap disposed within said canopy and having an opening alinable with said opening of the canopy, the ends of said strap being bent inwardly away from said canopy and lying flatly against the wall, anchoring elements fixed to the wall and detachably engageable with said arms upon endwise movement of said strap along the wall, and a bracket having a mounting portion insertible through the registering openings of the canopy and strap and clamping said strap against said canopy.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANK J. WILSON. 

